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Richmond Vikings 61-96 Tees United Lions

TU Lions travelled with only eight players to Catterick Garrison to play the Richmond Vikings but had enough to win the game with relative ease. The Vikings, on their day are capable of beating anyone and are a very professional outfit but were unfortunate victims of injury to a few players and found themselves struggling against the all star cast of the Lions.

 

Chris Lyle opened up the scoring for Vikings and would go on to top score with 35 but this was quickly responded to by 9 points in a minute by Luke Thompson including two 3's and an And 1 play. Lyle was the main threat throughout the game for Vikings, the next highest scorer being Richard Cooper on 8 points. The first quarter finished 12-33 in favour of the visiting Lions, Alex Nash hitting the last shot with a 3 pointer.

 

The second quarter was in contrast to the first as the Lions, who hit four 3's in the first decided to go inside. The Lions also switched to man to man defence after Lyle opened the scoring with an And 1 play. Carlos Alemanno was the main target for Lions to begin with as they produced their best basketball of the game with excellent passing, cuts and baskets. Richard Keirl enjoyed a good quarter, collecting 8 points. Alemanno's defensive presence was a huge advantage for the Lions as he controlled the key. The combined rebounding of Alemanno and Michael Wassell made it very difficult for Vikings to score and on the offensive end provided second opportunities. In the last minute Alemanno, Keirl and James Burton added 7 points to take a half time lead of 27, with the scores at 25-52.

 

Thompson burst onto the court from the offset for Lions as he converted two free throws, after being fouled, drove to the hoop for another basket and after a powerful Wassell drive hit another baseline jumper to extend the lead to 33 points in the first four minutes. Lyle again was the only scoring threat from Vikings adding 11 points in the third, Lions though were combing well to add 19 and finished another strong quarter up 35, with the scoreboard reading 36-71.

 

The final quarter was the best display for Vikings, especially in the last five minutes. Lions will be disappointed with their loss of concentration in this period but can be pleased with a good all round game on both ends of the court. Incidentally the Vikings best scoring period came via other players hitting the target as six different players found the mark in this quarter, whereas only Lyle scored for the Vikings in the second quarter. James Burton opened the scores for Lions with two consecutive 3 pointers and Alex Moore was inspirational in the final quarter, collecting 8 points in four minutes. In the last minute Ryan Dixon, made only his only 3 pointer of the game, which is surprising on previous displays with Lyle and Cooper combining to bring together a 8-0 run to reduce the Lions win to 35 points.

 

Teams   Lions Vikings James Burton* Richard Keirl* Luke Thompson* Carlos Alemanno* Alex Moore* Michael Wassell David Whitney James Thomson R Dixon* D Fawcett* M Russell* M Fell J Hall (captain) D Helm R Cooper* C Lyle* A Gossage A McGregor   Game MVP: Luke Thompson   Top Scorers Lions: Thompson 31, Alemanno 18, Moore 13, Keirl 13, Burton 12, Wassell 9   Vikings: Lyle 35, Cooper 8, Helm 5, Fawcett 4, Fell 4, Dixon 3, Hall 2

 

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